It kindles hope
in one's heart to see some signs that point to a change of attitude towards
some of the problems that have become festering sores in the body politic of
the country. One is seeing reports that a number of leaders of the All Parties
Hurriyat Conference in Jammu and Kashmir, who were under detention, have been
released. Some people, who were detained under TADA and against whom there were
no specific charges, are also being released. The ban on Jammu & Kashmir Liberation
Front, imposed under the Unlawful (Prevention) Activities Act, 1967 has been
allowed to lapse. It appears that it is a prelude to talks for solving the Kashmir
problem. If it is so, it is a very wise and welcome initiative. Contacts have
been going on with various groups in the North east. Groups in Nagaland and
Manipur have been active for a long time and the Government seemed, until now,
to have left it to the Army commanders to 'solve' the problem. For the past
some time initiatives have been taken to hold talks with some of the groups.
In this connection it is known that some sort of success in suspending 'hostilities'
has been achieved. The process is going on. One of the main players in the extremist
groups is the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN). One section of
NSCN is led by Shri Muivah. Shri Muivah is in Jail in Thailand. He is reported
to have appealed to the Thai Government for pardon so that he may contribute
to the peaceful solution of Naga problem "which is most essential" and which
can be brought about through talks. Shri Sulak Sivaraksa, a well known humanist
of Thailand, is reported to have offered to stand surety if the Thai government
agrees ro release him on bail. The PUCL, on its part, has urged Shri AB Vajpayee
to request the Thai government to release Shri Muivah. In Andhra Pradesh, the
CPI-ML (PWG) has expressed a willingness to course to the table fore talks.
The Chief Minister is consulting intellectuals, academics, and others, most
notably the Committee of Concerned Citizens, headed by Shri SR Sankaran , former
IAS officer. The PUCL has appealed to the Chief Minister to see that all sorts
of 'encounters' are stopped to create an atmosphere appropriate for talks. Our
first sentence in this piece is very cautious, for caution is what is needed
for solving these sensitive problems. The whole approach in all the three areas,
till now, has been constructive, indicating political maturity, and foresightedness.
The problems needs political solutions, not military tactics . The power mind
set has to be shifted from that of war to that of attempts at peace. The PUCL
has always stood for a peaceful solution, not in a spirit of slogan mongering
but through a conviction that there is no substitute ot the democratic method
of talks.